Pirates signed infielder Jose Hernandez to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Hernandez, a favorite of Jim Tracy's, figures to be the Pirates' 25th man once again. He hit .267/.328/.350 in 120 at-bats last season before the Pirates traded him to the Phillies in August. Mon, Jan 8, 2007 08:53:00 PM

Depth Charts

Jordy Mercer struck out all three times he was up Monday against the Orioles.

Mercer is off to a 3-for-19 start, not that it matters much. He might be entering his last season in Pittsburgh, as he'll be a free agent next winter, but he's at no risk of losing playing time as the team's starting shortstop.

MBC Sports+ in Korea reports that Jung Ho Kang has entered the Dominican Republic in order to apply for a United States work visa.

Kang was previously denied a visa by the U.S. Embassy in Korea due to his third DUI arrest, but he's hoping to be granted one by the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic. It's unclear at this point whether he has any real chance of getting approved. Pirates general manager Neil Huntington said in December that he did not expect Kang to return to the team.

Joe Musgrove allowed two runs in 2 2/3 innings and struck out five against the Yankees in his spring debut Thursday.

Musgrove got himself into trouble by walking three, but he allowed just one hit. Musgrove had been sidelined by shoulder soreness since the beginning of the spring, but it's all systems go now and, barring a setback, he should be ready to make a start during the first week of the regular season.

Tyler Glasnow (illness) is starting Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

Glasnow had flu-like symptoms that caused him to be scratched on March 12, and he hasn't been on the mound since March 7 for the Pirates. He'll look to improve on his ugly 11.74 ERA so far in Florida, but barring an injury he's likely ticketed for Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the season.

Pirates LHP Nik Turley was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball for testing positive for performance-enhancing substance Ipamorelin.

Turley was just claimed off waivers from the Twins in November, and now his Pirates debut will have to wait. He made his major league debut in 2017, posting an ugly 11.21 ERA in 10 appearances. His suspension will begin at the start of the season.